2023-02-16
The Greens commend the Circular Head Council for voting to reduce the Woolnorth Road speed limit from 100 km to 80 km to help protect the Tasmanian devil, after the first attempt to do so was knocked back only weeks earlier. The final decision to reduce the speed limit in the critical Woolnorth devil habitat now rests with the Tasmanian Government.
Quotes attributable to Greens senator for lutruwita/Tasmania, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
“Thanks must go to the Circular Head community who have been campaigning for years to protect the iconic and endangered Tassie devil from becoming roadkill.
“I commend the councillors for listening to their local community and to the many others from all over Australia who made contact with the councillors after being rightly outraged at the Council’s initial decision not to stand up for the devil.
“Tonight’s Circular Head Council motion to reduce the speed limits makes a strong statement and comes at a critical time, sending the right message that communities expect governments to do more to protect our precious wildlife from roadkill.
“Reducing the speed limit on Woolnorth Road is estimated to save the lives of hundreds of healthy devils. It will also protect road users who might swerve and put themselves in danger.
“Getting a lower speed limit along this critical stretch of road is vitally important to Tasmania’s few remaining healthy devils, but it's just a first step. There are a myriad of other things we can and must do to better protect the Tassie devil and other wildlife.
“Tonight’s motion sends a strong message to the state government to now act, and the Greens will continue to work at all levels of government and do everything in our power to ensure this beloved species is afforded every protection possible.”